Sciatica symptoms can be hard to ignore. The most common is pain, which can range from a dull, aching pain in the lower back to a sharp, shooting sensation that runs down the path of the leg. However, there are other symptoms that can accompany this pain, and these symptoms should not be ignored.

Neurological sciatica symptoms

In addition to lower back pain, sciatica can cause:

A “pins-and-needles” feeling

Muscle weakness

Numbness or loss of sensation in the legs

While these sciatica symptoms can be very uncomfortable, they are not usually considered medical emergencies. Many people are able to manage them through a variety of conservative, at-home measures provided by their physician or orthopedic specialist.

Consulting with a medical professional

It’s normal to feel hesitant about making an appointment with a physician. After all, back pain is a common issue, and it can sometimes go away on its own. However, symptoms that persist for more than a few days should not be ignored. Without treatment, the discomfort can continue to grow worse. Some people even sustain long-term nerve damage. An experienced medical professional can provide individualized strategies for keeping the pain under control.

A physician can also help patients decide if or when surgical treatment might be necessary. Surgery is not recommended for every individual, but it can be helpful for patients with severe sciatica symptoms that do not improve with conservative treatment.

At Laser Spine Institute, we perform minimally invasive neck and back surgery, offering candidates an alternative to risky and painful open back surgery. And, our procedures are performed on an outpatient basis. If you’d like to learn more about our surgical procedures and whether they may be able to help with your specific set of sciatica symptoms, contact us today for a no-cost MRI review.*

*Our MRI review is an informational review of the MRI report that you provide to us and is not a form of diagnosis. A diagnosis and a final determination of whether you may benefit from treatment at Laser Spine Institute can only be made after you have been physically examined by our medical professionals at Laser Spine Institute. The MRI review has no value and will not be billed.